I’m back!

It has been months, literal months, since I have sat down at my computer with the sole intention of writing a blog post. Life, as it so often does, got completely on top of me and the free time (and more importantly, the mental power) I had to sit and write very quickly dwindled into nothingness. But I am back, with eager fingers, a lot to update you on and a plan for regular posts in the new year!

So what have I been up to?

Well, although I haven’t been writing much here, I have been writing a lot elsewhere and am absolutely thrilled to announce that my third poetry book “Pain & Perseverance” will be available on the 25th November 2022. I am so, so excited for this book to be out in the world as it feels like I’ve been working on it for such a long time. Split into three sections; Pain, Perseverance, and Prospect - it features poems that cover love, loss, grief, friendship and hope. It is a real love story to my own messy mind and complicated relationship with emotions and asking for help. If you would like to purchase a copy, the link will be available here on release date, or follow me on Instagram to receive updates.

Secondly - my third year of study with the Open University has begun and I am officially knee deep in set books that need to be read, essays that need to be written and a big dollop of procrastination that needs to be pushed aside and ignored!

This year is all about English literature and studying books set by the University - something that I have very mixed feelings about. On the one hand, it’s no secret that I love reading, and this is a sure fire way to bump my Goodreads total read books up and to expand my literary knowledge, but on the other hand - I’ve never been a fan of being told what to read. I am a firm believer of “if you’re not enjoying a book, put it down. Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy when there are plenty of others to choose from”, but when you’ve got a 2000 word essay to write that relies on you having read the book - that option no longer exists. I’m confident that there will be a good number of books that I read as part of my studies that I will enjoy, but so far - we’re not off to a good start! (Thank goodness for my huge TBR pile to give me something I do want to read in between them!)


And finally, I have been focusing really hard on doing things for myself that bring me joy. After a pretty rough couple of months, my mental health took a battering and I knew that something had to change. Since I’ve got my brain back into a good place, I’ve been making a real conscious effort to do things that make me happy but that have no other purpose other than that. This has meant more bubble baths, more fun eye makeup and less smothering face make-up, reigniting my love for Pokemon games and creating art that is for me, rather than to be gifted or monetised, and most importantly, creating art that isn’t necessarily “good” but is just enough to get my creativity flowing again. And as you can see from this photo - some silly Halloween photo shoots!

That’s all for now - I’ve got a bar of chocolate and a film waiting for me so I’ll end it here. But I’ve got a whole list of bits and bobs to upload before the end of the year, so keep an eye on my social media for updates!

Thanks for reading - it’s good to be back!